Tango Sur - Argentine Parrillada
 

Tango Sur
3763 N. Southport Avenue
Chicago
Open 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Open noon on Sunday

We went on a Sunday afternoon and the front dining room was packed with Spanish-speaking families. (There is another dining room in the back.)

We ordered three different kinds of empanandas (fried pies) - chicken, ham and cheese, and spinach and cheese. The traditional empanada is made with ground beef, but we opted to try the other ones since we knew that we would be ordering the parrillada.

The empanadas come with chimichurri, a oil based sauce with garlic and parsley. Of the three, the chicken empanada was definitely the best.

We also ordered a portion of matambre ("hunger killer"). Matambre is usually a piece of flank steak pounded thin and then spread with a mixture of vegetables. The meat is then rolled up like a jelly roll and baked. To serve, you slice the matambre into thin circular slices. I was not impressed with Tango Sur's matambre and frankly think my own home-made version is better.

We then had the parrillada for two ($27), which comes with two or three cuts of beef, sweet breads, blood sausage, and another type of sausage. The meat comes on a small grill, which can be a bit smokey. Although everything was flavorful, we found everything to be a bit too salty. Again, chimichurri comes with the parrillada.

For dessert, we had an excellent flan with a dollop of dulce de leche on top.

The restaurant is reasonably priced and one can BYOB. You can also order Inca Cola, a Peruvian soft drink that tastes similar to cream soda.

I went to Tango Sur last summer with my wife and another couple. We all really liked it. Granted, none of us is all that up on Argentinian food. I've had a fair amount of Chilean food, but I won't compare the two because one thing I know is that Argentinians don't like to be compared to Chileans and vice versa.

But all in all, the portions were very big (not inexpensive though), and quite good. I liked the BYOB as we were able to enjoy 2 of our own bottles of (not so good) wine for free.

I will probably go back this summer.

anyone else been to Tango Sur?

8 Cgo FTers had dinner there in August....IIRC it was enjoyed by most all of us. I don't believe anyone had the parillada... Empanadas were good but not as good as the ones we had in EZE. My steak (I don't recall which I had at the moment) was great. The only complaint I remember hearing was 1 FTer who wasn't happy about the noise level (we did dinner on a Sunday, around 6:30). I'd like to go back and was mentioning that to a couple other FTers the other day. Sorry I can't remember more details at the moment.

Fast Willie,

Multiple times. More than 5. Less than 10.

I go when people want meat, but don't want Brazilian.
Its pretty good, but not anywhere close to unbelievable.
Not a big fan of the sausage. I have had the parillada.

Parking is not that bad for street parking.

That is right on the money, Fast Willie! ;)

It's pretty good. Fairly cheap since it's byob.
Empanandas are good, especially the spinach. But the best appetizer is their fried cheese. Steaks are ok (tends to be undercooked).

One thing to beware about this restaurant is that there is a long wait on the weekends! Sometimes can be as long as 2-3 hours. You can't make reservations, but you can call ahead to put your name on the list, but you'll have to wait a while anyway.

Definetly good, went with my cousin for his Birthday and was impressed...

Also, Asado in Evanston is not bad for Brazillian churrascaria, wayyy cheaper then any of the others downtown and a better deal (14.50 for lunch, 29.50 for dinner)

sounds good, I'll try to check it out

I second asado, doesn't match the experience at fogo de chao, but much cheaper, and I think it has a bigger selection. great lunch place

This is a favorite of mine, especially getting there late after the crowd has thinned. The great money-saver about this restaurant is that is BYOB. Even for beer drinkers, they are very accomodating. We've brought in our collapsable cooler filled with brew, no problems.

very good
 

I have been here many times since it the favorite restaurant of a good friend who eats there once a week (that often gets us moved up in the long line of people waiting for tables on weekends). If you are a carnivore, the food is very good. I do not think it is anything great, but it is just fine. For the money you spend, however, it may be one of the best bargains in Chicago. I also like the fact that it is BYOB with NO CORKAGE fee. This allows my friend and I to have a very good meal for about $20 each.

I think pretty good is a bit generous. I would call it pretty inconsistant. It is a cheap BYOB and I suspect that is where they get most of their draw from. To me the novelty has worn off. The cuts of meat and preparation are mediocre at best.

I wasn't thrilled by any means on Wed night when we had dinner before seeing the play Urinetown at the Mercury Theater a couple doors south of Tango Sur.

Meat was undercooked and while ok, the whole thing just didn't do it for me.

We had the fried cheese (needed more brown/crust) with a few slices of roasted red pepper.

The Argentinian Taco made with potatoes onions and eggs, think flavorless quiche.

The meat was a wierd combination of gray to just barely cooked.

The couple we took had been a few times before but were not pleased at how poor the quality was this time, they kept apologizing to us for recommending it.

I really don't think I'll be back. I wanted to like this place.

--

At least you didn't have to pay to pee. ;)

You forgot another benefit. It participates in Rewards Network (at least the UA program) so you get 10 miles/$ !